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AIDS Projects

AIDS outreach has been a topic of international discussions since AIDS was first recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1981. Since then, many non-profit organizations, community groups and government-sponsored programs have launched AIDS-related research and outreach projects designed to spread global awareness while funding much-needed research in the areas of prevention, treatment and cures. HIV and AIDS projects are now run at local, state and federal levels. For contact information for each organization discussed, see the Resources section.

  1. Federal Policy Projects

    • In addition to providing support services to people with AIDS, many organizations dedicate a significant amount of time to supporting or proposing changes in federal policies that relate to HIV/AIDS-related researching, funding or educational programs. Most AIDS-related outreach programs include a branch that is involved with federal-level legislation. For example, the AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) has a dedicated government affairs division that is responsible for lobbying for AIDS-related causes at a federal level. APLA and other organizations, including AIDS Action and the Global AIDS Alliance, provided critical support for AIDS-related legislation such as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006 and the Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2007. Both pieces of legislation expand preventative treatment plans, care options and educational programming.

    Global Outreach Projects

    • According to the international AIDS charity AVERT, "Africa is more heavily affected by HIV and AIDS than any other region of the world". As global awareness of the AIDS epidemic increases, so too do efforts to provide global services to those affected by AIDS across the world. International organizations such as AVERT and the Global AIDS Alliance raise funds to provide educational materials, preventative materials and treatment options to impoverished countries in dire need of assistance. Charities and religious organizations frequently arrange mission trips to high-risk countries and provide educational services to people in those countries. Contact a local church or community group for information about mission trips.

    HIV Testing Drives

    • Community groups, churches and colleges frequently host HIV/AIDS testing drives at little to no cost to patients. During a testing drive, doctors or nurses volunteer their time to provide oral HIV testing. During the test, an inner cheek sample is taken via a small swab and then tested on site. Accurate results are available within 15 to 20 minutes. Many testing drives are combined with additional education programming that includes guest speakers or the availability of literature. Contact a local hospital or family-planning clinic to learn about local testing drives or to organize a testing drive for your community.

    Charities and Faith-Based Support Services

    • The main focus of HIV/AIDS charities is to raise funds for research, educational outreach and treatment access to underprivileged AIDS patients. Charities accept donations as well as political support for AIDS-related causes. Population Services International, Partners in Health and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS are all well-established charities with positive track records for cost effectiveness and outcome-based success. Local charities run through churches or community programs also provide funds to research or run special clothing or food drives for HIV-positive individuals. The cost effectiveness of local charities is more difficult to assess, but most provide funds to well-established organizations.

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